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What is Runtime?

It is the moment when a software is run on the computer and the environment it needs in this process.

Overview

The time the code is written and the time it runs are different. Runtime refers to the process where the code is no longer a file but actively lives in the computer's processor and memory.

Analogy: Having the recipe for a meal written on paper is 'software', and having that meal cooked and served in the kitchen is 'runtime'.

How it works

When the program is started, the computer allocates the necessary resources and processes the codes line by line, making them ready for user interaction.

Where it is used

It is used to monitor the live performance of the program during software development and debugging processes.

Commonly confused with

It is confused with compile-time; compile-time is preparation, runtime is execution.

Frequently asked questions

What does runtime error mean?

It is when the program encounters an unexpected situation while it is running and crashes or gives an error.

Does every software have a runtime?

Yes, every software that can run needs a working environment.

Related terms

Related tools

This explanation was written in plain language for TreScout and machine-translated from the Turkish original · the Turkish version prevails. If something looks wrong or missing, write to hello@trescout.com. Read in Turkish →